Gnome

Gnomes, also known as the 'Lost-Folk' are small durinian race known for their humor, inquisitiveness and technological prowess.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnomes are among the smallest of the sapient races, placing them a little shorter than dwarves and slightly taller than Halfling. Gnome posses several elven traits, such as long and pointy ears, but the two species are distinct and are not related. Gnomes' facial hair grows in a rapid pace similar to dwarves and durgar, and they too possess an oscapillum. Unlike dwarves, however, a gnome's hair can grow in virtually any visible color; the exact hue is mostly dependent on the gem they originate from but can also be impacted by the surrounding environment during the gnome's emergence. Some exceedingly rare cases of gnomes growing seemingly invisible hair have been documented, becoming visible in the presence of certain forms of energy; coincidently, all cases were in gnomes that inhabited areas where spontaneous Junction Precession has been known to occur.

Genetics and Reproduction

Unlike other durinian species, gnomes reproduce biologically; this reproduction however is still more similar to that of other durinians than to that of humanoids.
When two gnomes are conjoined the result is an offspring in the shape of a brilliant Ovalapi. The gem starts as a perfect or near perfect stone, and will slowly erode and crack over centuries. When the gem degrades completely and then broken, a gnome infant emerge from the gem, wrapped in a unique mineral call Lamignome; lamignome is naturally formed around the developing infant and serves to assist in cracking the gem's shell.
Traditionally, as the Ovalapi can be dormant for centuries and do not require being tended to, they are piled together in a specialized room located at the center of the parent settlement. A dedicated gnome is positioned to keep the room safe and provide guidance for any new gnome that emerges, helping them become a part of the community.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gnomes grow up quicker than Dwarves and reach maturity around the age of 40. They usually live to be 350-400 years, although reaching the age of 500 is not a rare fit.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Gnomes live in rural dwellings, away from the main roads and the priyng eyes of other races. Most gnomes settlements are ruled by a Kai that is elected to rule alongside their mate until death. A typical gnome settlement usually contain less than a hundred members and kings and queens are elected by the whole community based on popularity and trust. Gnomes mate for life but don't form a families and the community serves as one big family cell with each member having a somewhat clear idea of their designation and roles.

Facial characteristics

Gnome hair and facial hair grows in many unique colors, dependent on their ancestry and the color and type of gem they originate from. A gnome hair color is unique to each individual and even while to the naked eye some would look identical, no two gnomes have the exact hair color and hue.

Average Intelligence

Gnomes are very intellectual and and begin to learn at a rapid pace the moment they emerge from their Ovalapi. This thirst for knowledge is a defining characteristic of their inquisitive behaviors. Gnomes ability to learn, simillar to dwarves memory, only get better as they age. Assuming they can read, a gnome who's 150 years old is capable of reading around 20 pages per minute, memorizing them to some extent.

Civilization and Culture

Relationship Ideals

Gnomes value love and friendship over anything else, even progress. When two gnomes mate, the connection is so strong that it will last for their entire life.

Gnomes have no concept of family and rarely even know their parents as they may emerge centuries after their parents' death. Instead of ancestors and siblings, a gnome will view their community as their family, and will always act to better the lives of its members. This community can be of any size, and even gnomes that travel with a group for years may view them as their family. When living inside cities or other population centers gnomes will form communities with other gnomes as usual but will view the entire city as one huge community that they must improve and perfect.

Average Technological Level

Gnomes are known far and wide for their innovation and technological prowess. Similar to dwarves, gnomes have a very reliable and strong memory. This memory however, is more effective for short term rather than longer, allowing the gnome to focus on a specific field and learn faster.

Common Etiquette Rules

The only thing gnomes appreciate more than intellect is humor. They will go to extreme length to pull complex and epic pranks on their community members and friends. Those pranks are so complex and extreme in fact, that they can be prepared and last for decades at a time. What gnomes will view as a harmless, joyful prank, may look dangerous and outright evil to some races.

Common Taboos

Love, friendship and humor are sacred pillars of life for a gnome. Separating two lovers or acting in an unfriendly manner toward a stranger is something most gnomes view as serious offenses. A peculiarly serious offense is ruining a joke told to someone who haven't heard it yet by someone who already did. Denying joy and laughter is considered an anathema to most gnomes, and may even result in violence against such an aggressor.

History

Gnome history is long, sad and mostly destroyed or lost. They were enslaved for centuries by tribes of the now extinct giantkin tribes and clans. Orcs, hobgoblins, goliaths and humans would raid their dwellings and settlements, mistaking their Ovalapi chambers as treasure hoards, rendering entire communities extinct in a single raid. Many of the taken gems are used for commerce, and lone gnomes sprouted all over the continent, devoid of their essential communal lives. Even their durinian cousins, the dwarves, enslaved entire communities of gnomes in indentured servitude during their wars with the durgar.
Some gnomes left Edora for the island of Lantan, where they formed a kingdom of the same name. Lantan was a brilliant gem of knowledge and innovation for 2600 years, when in 748 the island was sunk by a series of gigantic waves, and most of its inhabitants drowned. The surviving gnomes, arriving back to the eastern mainland as refugees, quickly fell to slavers and bandits who waited for them on the shores. Those gnomes have later been spread once again all over the continent.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Gnomes are spread throughout Edora, and while most still live in rural and remote communities, plenty can be found in almost every center of population. They mostly integrate into their local ethnic groups, adopting their customs and behaviors. The largest gnome population outside of the Amadel Mountains is in Briga, where they devote their lives for academic study. Most craftsmen cities, like Vermere, also have large gnome population.

Current Date: 2^nd of Latsum, 1572

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Durinian

Scientific Name

T. Anima Ovalapis

Lifespan

350-500

Average Height

2′9″‒3′2″ (90‒100 cm)

Average Weight

46-52 lbs (26-32 kg)

Geographic Distribution

• Edora

Related Organizations

• Kingdom of Dam Tarihr

Related Materials

• Lamignome

Gnome

Ability Score Increase

Size Small

Speed

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A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighborhoods where gnomes form their close-knit communities. Louder sounds punctuate the hum: a crunch of grinding gears here, a minor explosion there, a yelp of surprise or triumph, and especially bursts of laughter. Gnomes take delight in life, enjoying every moment of invention, exploration, investigation, creation, and play.

Vibrant Expression

A gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines through every inch of his or her tiny body. Gnomes average slightly over 3 feet tall and weigh 40 to 45 pounds. Their tan or brown faces are usually adorned with broad smiles (beneath their prodigious noses), and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their fair hair has a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing the gnome’s insatiable interest in everything around.
A gnome’s personality is writ large in his or her appearance. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s clothing, though usually made in modest earth tones, is elaborately decorated with embroidery, embossing, or gleaming jewels.

Delighted Dedication

As far as gnomes are concerned, being alive is a wonderful thing, and they squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their three to five centuries of life. Humans might wonder about getting bored over the course of such a long life, and elves take plenty of time to savor the beauties of the world in their long years, but gnomes seem to worry that even with all that time, they can’t get in enough of the things they want to do and see.
Gnomes speak as if they can’t get the thoughts out of their heads fast enough. Even as they offer ideas and opinions on a range of subjects, they still manage to listen carefully to others, adding the appropriate exclamations of surprise and appreciation along the way.
Though gnomes love jokes of all kinds, particularly puns and pranks, they’re just as dedicated to the more serious tasks they undertake. Many gnomes are skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors. They’re willing to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in the process of perfecting what they do, taking bold (sometimes foolhardy) risks and dreaming large.

Bright Burrows

Gnomes make their homes in hilly, wooded lands. They live underground but get more fresh air than dwarves do, enjoying the natural, living world on the surface whenever they can. Their homes are well hidden by both clever construction and simple illusions. Welcome visitors are quickly ushered into the bright, warm burrows. Those who are not welcome are unlikely to find the burrows in the first place.
Gnomes who settle in human lands are commonly gemcutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some human families retain gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils enjoy a mix of serious learning and delighted enjoyment. A gnome might tutor several generations of a single human family over the course of his or her long life.

Gnome Names

Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome’s mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are “stuffy” about names, a gnome learns to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that’s the most fun to say.
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck

Seeing the World

Curious and impulsive, gnomes might take up adventuring as a way to see the world or for the love of exploring. As lovers of gems and other fine items, some gnomes take to adventuring as a quick, if dangerous, path to wealth. Regardless of what spurs them to adventure, gnomes who adopt this way of life eke as much enjoyment out of it as they do out of any other activity they undertake, sometimes to the great annoyance of their adventuring companions.

Subrace

Choose one of these subraces: Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin, Forest Gnome, Rock Gnome, or one from another source.